Switch



@QL 8, 1935.. M W WICK-Qms` gl4@ SWITCH Original Filed July l5, 1953 mamon 0 fris.

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Patented Oct. 8, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SWITCH Marion W. Morris, Logansport, Ind., assig'nor tol R-B-M Manufacturing Co., Logansport, Ind., a

corporation of Indiana 11 Claims.

This invention relates to switches, and more particularly to switches for use in conection with dome or wall lights in vehicles or the like, although it is not to be limited to this specic use.

The present invention is a division of my copending application, Serial No. 680,561, filed July l5, 1933, and is directed particularly to the combined light housing and switch structure used in berth lights, dome lights or similar types of lights used in and upon vehicles.

It is desirable, in switches of this type, which are subjected to shock and vibration, to provide a snap action or similar type of actuating mechanism which will move and hold the switch positively in any predetermined position, until it is manually actuated, but the cost of producing such a switch has heretofore been prohibitive for the uses to which it may be applied.

Further, it is a primary practical consideration, in switches adapted for use in such situations, that the switch structure be made as compactly as possible, and preferably that it be disposed within the confines of the light housing. Also a minimum number of parts should be required, so that economy in manufacture and reduction in spacial requirements be effected. Since switches of this type are employed in close proximity to upholstery, paneling and the like, it is necessary also that they be of a substantially enclosed type.

It is an object of the present invention to produce a switch of the type described having a simplified construction which will provide a snap action for maintaining a switch in predetermined position unless manually actuated, using a minimum number of parts and being capable of assembly within a compact enclosing structure.

A further object of the invention is to utilize the means which secures the terminal connecting lug of the switch in position as the switch contact, thereby providing a simpliiied and economical construction. In connection with this feature, a switch construction is provided wherein only one switch contact is employed, and the dome light housing and light socket are included in the electrical circuit.

Another advantage secured by the present invention is that ease and accuracy of operation is afforded by forming a snap actuating mechanism directly in the switching member, so that manual operation of the switch operates the mechanism directly, thus reducing the number of parts necessary for producing this action, and providing for direct manual control of the snap actuating mechanism.

The switch of the present invention is possessed (Cl. 24U-7.35)

of an additional advantage in that it is formed so as to be directly supported by the light housing, and with one of the light contacts disposed within the switch housing itself, providing a compact structure that can be disposed within the peripheral limits of the light housing, thus reducing the spacial requirements of the structure.

A further advantage of the present invention resides in the use of common securing means for positioning the light socket in position within the light housing and also for securing the switch housing thereto, this being accomplished preferably by rivets which extend through a flanged portion of the housing, and which engage the light socket and the switch housing and iirmly secure them in alined relation upon opposite sides of the flange. This greatly simplifies the construction, and also reduces the cost thereof.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear more fully from the following detailed description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, will disclose to those skilled in the art the particular construction and operation of a preferred form of the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a dome light structure with the switch embodied therein;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the switch structure shown in Figure 1; 30 Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the switch structure shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional elevational view taken substantially on the line 4 4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially 35 on the line 5-5 of Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a sectional view through the dome light housing, taken substantially on line 6-6 of Figure l.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, the light housing, which may be used for the dome or wall light of a vehicle, or for a berth light or the like in trains or boats, is indicated generally by the reference numeral `8. This housing, in the preferred form of the invention, is formed of an annularly extending portion, having suitable corrugations or impressions therein to provide a pleasing appearance, and which is provided with a normally extending cylindrical flanged portion indicated by the reference numeral 9, which extends inwardly of the central portion of the light housing. The housing may be formed or stamped from any type of light- Weight metal or similar material, and its particular configuration and design is optional.

Disposed upon one side of the cylindrically ilangedportion 9 of the housing is the light socket member I0, which is provided with the extending ear portions II, bent to a shape conforming substantially to the inner surface of the flanged portion 9 of the housing. The socket ID is also provided with a raised portion, which has an opening formed therein through which the base portion I2 of a light bulb I3 extends, there being up-'struck tongues I5 formed on opposed sides of the opening to support the light member in position. The opening through which the stem or base of the bulb extends lis provided with a keyway I6, which keyway is adapted to receive the pin member I'I of the bulb stem for locking the bulb in position. The inner extending tip or contact portion I8 ofthe bulb extends within and is Y handle 2| extends, to provide for operation of the switch when the light housing and switch structure is placed in operating position. This projecting sternl or operating member is pivotally mounted upon the switch housing, and is adapted to be snapped from the position shown in Figure 1` to a'raised position in order to provide for operation of thelight.

Considering now the switch shown in detail in Figures 2 to 5, inclusive, the switch housing itseli` is formed or stamped from suitable metal, and comprises a rectangular box-shaped receptacle having an open top, and having an open side or end portion. The receptacle itself is indicated by the reference numeral 23, and the open end portion is indicated by the reference numeral 24 in Figure 3. Extending outwardly from each side of the opening 24 in the switch housing or receptacle are wing members 25, which are bent to conform to the shape of the outer periphery of the cylindrical ilanged portion 9 of the light housing,rand which are provided with openings 26 therein adapted to receive the rivet means 21 shown in Figure 1 for anchoring the switch housing 23 in position and for securing the light socketV I0 in position, the rivets extending through the flanged portion 9 of the light housing. Rivets are preferable since they eliminate interference with radio systems or the like, whereas solder produces noises in radio sets installed in the vehicle.

The top of the receptacle 23 is closed by :means of an insulating member 3I'I, which member is held in position by means of a plurality of 'ex-r tending tabs 3| which are formed integral with the receptacle 23, and which are bent over the upper surface of the member 30 to hold the same in position upon the switch housing.

The operating member 2| is mounted upon a normally extendingY pivot pin 32, .which pin is received between opposed struck out portions 33 and 34 of the switch housing 23, thepin extending therethrough and providing for pivot# ing of the member 2| about an axis coextensive with the lower surface of the receptacle 23. The end of the operating member 2| which is disposed within the housing 23 is provided with a recessed portion shown in detail in Figure 4, and indicated by the reference numeral 35, which is adapted to receive a spring member 36, the spring member 35 being biased at one end within the recess 35, and at the other end seating against the inner end of a recess 37 formed in the switch contact or cap member 38. This cap member 38 is adapted to have telescoping engagement over the end of the operating member 2|, and is pro- Y vided with a hemispherical portion 3S adapted to make and break contact for the switch circuit.

The circuit connections leading :from a source of electric current, Yand which are effective to actuate the lamp I3, are connected to the switch housing through the terminal screws 40 and 4I, which terminal screws are adapted to have electrical engagement with corresponding lug members 42 and 43. The lug members 42 and 43 are vseparated from the surface of the insulating' member 38 and the surface of the housing 23 by' means of insulating members 44, secured between the lugs and the switch housing surface. It will be noted that the lug 42 extends from the terminal screw 40 upwardly to the member 30, and across the surface of the member 30 to a point approximately medially of the switch housing, where it is secured to the member 30 by means of a rivet or other type of securing member 45, which engages over the upper surface ofthe lug 42, and which at its lower end is adapted to securea con-n tact member 46 in position, the contact member 46 having a struck-up portion 41 for preventing' its rotation with respect to the securing member 45.

The contact member 46, as shown clearly in Figure 3, is disposed substantially centrally of and coplanar with the opening 24 Yin the end of the receptacle 23, and is adapted to have electrical contacting engagement with the contact portion I8 of the bulb I3. The member 46 is preferably of resilient metallic material, so that a yieldingly pressing contact is provided between the member 46 and the contact I8. Thus, current is led through the terminal screw 40 and the terminal lug 42 to the contact 46, and from the con-v tact 46 to the contact I8 of the bulb I3.

Considering in detail theterminal screws 40 and 4I, it will be noted from Figure 4 that the terminal screw 4I) extends through an opening formed in the side wall of the receptacle 23 into the interior of the receptacle, but is spaced from contact with-the receptacle, in order to prevent electrical contact therewith. `In a similar manner the terminal screw 4I extends into the receptacle 23 through an opening formed in the end wall thereof, but is spaced from contact with the switch housing. Y Y Y V The terminal lug 43 is secured in position upon the housing 23 by means of the securing member 5I), which may be a rivet or other similar member, and which has its inner portion provided with a concaved recess 5I, as shown in Figure 5. This ccncaved recess 5 I is adapted to receive the rounded end 39 of the contact member 38, and the insulating member 30, which is preferably formed of fiber, or a molded condensation product or the like, is provided with a corresponding recess 52 adapted to be engaged by the headed end 39 of the switch operating mechanism when it is desired that the switch be placed in off position.

It will be apparent that when the switch is intermediate these two points, the spring member 36 is compressed and consequently a spring action is provided which positively forces the headed end 39 of the switch operating member into engagement either with the recess 5I or 52. Thus a snap actuating mechanism, under the controlof the person operatingY the switch, is provided, and is incorporated directly in the switch operating lever. Y A

It will be noted that the lug members 42 and 43 are provided with depressed portions, shown in detail in Figures 2 and 4, which serve to align these members with corresponding openings formed in the insulating member 3B, and thus prevent any lateral movement of the lug members. These depressed or key portions are indicated by the reference numeral 54, and may be punched or stamped in the terminal lug members during the stamping of the lug itself.

It is thus apparent that a simplified combined switch and light housing structure has been provided, the current for the bulb I3 being provided through a circuit comprising the terminal screw di?, the lug 42, the contact member 4B, the contact I3 of the bulb, and through the filament of the bulb and outwardly through the stem or base portion I2 thereof to the tongues of the socket member I0, thence through the socket member and iiange to the metallic housing 23 of the switch. From the metallic housing, the current passes through the pivot pin 32 and through the contact head 38 to the recessed end 5I of the securing member 5t, and thence through the terminal lug 33 to the terminal screw 4I, thus completing the circuit. Thus, only a single switch contact is necessary, this being the member 5D, and operation of the switch is secured by moving of the lever 2i into the position shown in Figure 5. In its off position, the spring 36 positively prevents dislodgment of the switch from the recess 52, and thus prevents accidental operation of the light.

The switch itself is substantially completely enclosed, except for the portion containing the contact 46, which is in direct alinement with the flange 9, and is confined substantially within the peripheral limits of the housing 8. Further, the switch is of simple and economical construction, requiring few parts, and is easily assembled and placed in operative position. Also, the rivets 21 serve the dual purpose of holding the socket I in position to hold the bulb I3 in proper position within the light housing, and also of securing the switch housing to the flange 9.

I am aware that many structural changes and modifications might be made in detail of the switch which is disclosed herein, and I do not intend to be limited to the specic details shown and described, but only as defined by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a switch housing, a base member secured thereto, a pair of terminal lugs, rivets extending through said base member and securing said lugs thereon, a contact member secured to one of said rivets, a socket member secured to said housing, electrically actuated means in said socket member having a contact portion engaging said contact member, a switch actuating member, and means electrically connected to said socket member and to said switch actuating member providing for rocking movement of said switch actuating member into contact with said other rivet to complete an electrical connection to said electrically actuated means.

2. In combination, a housing having a flanged portion, a socket member secured to said ilanged portion on one side thereof, electrically actuated means carried thereby, a switch housing secured to said flanged portion on the opposite side thereof, a first contact member carried by said switch housing and engaged by said electrically actuated means, a second contactA member insulated from said rst contact member, and a switch actuating member carried by said switch housing and electrically in contact with said socket member for engaging said second contact member to establish a circuit connection through said electrically actuated means.

3. In combination, a housing having a curved ange, a socket member, a switch member, said members having diverging curved wing portions, means common to said members for securing them in alignment upon opposite sides of said iiange, a pair of insulated contact members carried by said switch member, illuminating means in said socket member engaging one of said Contact members, and switch actuated means carried by and in electrical contact with said switch member for engaging said other contact member.

4. In combination, a switch housing, an insulating base secured thereto, a contact rivet carried by said base, a resilient contact finger carried by said base and extending into said housing, a socket member secured to said housing, electrically actuated means in said socket member engaging said contact finger, and spring-controlled switch actuating means in electrical contact with said socket member and adapted to be moved into engagement with said contact rivet for completing a circuit from said finger through said electrically actuated means to said rivet.

5. In combination, a dome light housing having a anged portion forming a light opening, a metallic socket member secured to the inner surface of said flange portion, a switch housing secured to the outer surface of said flange portion and having an open end in alinement with said socket member, said ilange portion being cut away between said member and said switch housing, a resilient contact finger carried by said hous- Ving and disposed in the open end thereof, electrically actuated means in said socket member having a contact portion thereof engaging said finger, a second contact member in said switch housing, switch actuating means carried by said switch housing and having electrical connection with said socket member through said switch housing, said actuating means being movable into and out of contact with said second contact member.

6. In combination, a dome light structure including a circular flange portion defining a light opening a switch housing secured to the outer surface thereof and having an open end portion directed toward said flange portion, said flange portion being cut away in alinement with said open end of said switch housing, a resilient contact finger carried by said switch housing and disposed in the open end thereof, a socket mcunted on the inside surface of said flange portion in alinement with the cut away portion thereof, and 55 electrically actuated means carried by said socket and having a contact base extending through said cutaway portion of said flange and into engagement with said Contact linger.

'7. In combination, a dome light structure in- 60 cluding a cylindrical flange and a substantially normally extending rim, a socket member, a switch housing, said flange having an opening therein, means for securing said member and housing upon opposite sides of said flange in alinement with said opening, said switch housing having an open end in alinement with said opening, an insulating terminal plate for said housing carrying a resilient contact finger disposed in the open end of said housing, a light bulb in said socket member having a spaced portion extending through said opening into contact with said contact finger, and switch actuating means having pivotal support in one side of said housing and extending outwardly of said housing through said rim.

8. In combination with the ilange of a dome light housing, a socket member comprising extending wing portions engaging the inner surface of said flange and having a central portion offset inwardly away from said flange and provided with normally extending integral tongues defining a socket opening, a light bulb member secured in said opening and having a base portion projecting outwardly of the peripheral limits of said flange, said flange having an enlarged opening in alinement with said socket opening, a switch housing having an extending wing portion secured to the outer surface of said ilange and having an open end in alinement with said flange opening, a resilient Contact finger within the open end of said housing and adapted to be engaged by the extending base portion of said bulb member, an insulated contact in said housing, and means mounted on said switch housing for completing a circuit from said contact nger through said bulb member to said insulated contact.

9. In combination, a light housing having a substantially annular flange, a socket member se cured on the inner surface of said flange, electrically actuated means having a base portion thereof secured in said socket member and having an insulated contact tip extending through an opening in said flange, a switch member secured to the outer surface of said flange in electrical contact with said socket member, a resilient contact carried by said switch member'and engaged by said contact tip, a second insulated contact carried by said switch member, and means mounted on said switch member for engaging said second contact to connect said base portion of said electrically actuated means electrically to said second contact. l0. In combination, a light housing having substantially annular flange, a socketV member having oppositely extending curvedY wings en- 5 gaging the inner surface of said flange, a switch member having an open end provided with oppositely extending curved wings engaging the outer surface of said flange, means extending through said wings and flange for securing said socket member and switch member mechanically in alignment and in electrical contact, alight member having its base secured in said socket member and having a projecting tip extending through an opening in said flange, and contact means in said switch member for completing a circuit between the base of said light member and said tip through said wings and switch member.

ll. In combination, a light housing having a substantially annular flange, a socket member comprising oppositely extending wings engaging the inner surface of said flange and having a cen- Y tral socket portion offset inwardly of said ange, a switch member having an open end directed toward said socket portion and having oppositely extending curved wings engaging the outer surface of said ilange, means for securing said bracket member and switch member in aligned position on opposite sides of said flange passing through said wings, electrically actuated means carried by said socket member, and switch means carried by Said switch member for completing a circuit through saidV last named means.

MARION W. MORRIS. 

